Publicist Sonya Ede-Williams developed campaigns for over 50 critically acclaimed films during her 18-year tenure at Paramount, including Shaft, The Italian Job, The Manchurian Candidate, The Longest Yard, The Last Holiday, Dreamgirls, Shrek the Third and Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull. After launching SYE Publicity in 2008, she went on to work on such films as Wanted, The Express, Get Him to the Greek, Despicable Me, The Adjustment Bureau, Fast Five, Bridesmaids and many others. She has also developed campaigns for Disney, Roadside Attractions, Summit Entertainment, Paladin and The Weinstein Company. Some of her credits include the award-winning Birdman, 12 Years a Slave and Wild.
Scott J. Karol is an independent producer, attorney and entertainment business and finance consultant. Karol’s job includes financing, production, distribution and negotiation of all above-the-line talent deals. He is currently the president of Cinelou Films and functions as an executive producer on all Cinelou projects. Prior to Cinelou, he served as executive vice president in charge of business affairs, production and strategic planning for Crystal Sky, LLC. Karol started his professional career at ICM, in the agent training program.
Cameron Mitchell is a motion picture agent at leading entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Mitchell represents many of the world’s leading actors, writers, directors and producers, including Jordan Peele, Zendaya, Will Packer, Reginald Hudlin, Common, Melina Matsoukas, Gabrielle Union, Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Lakeith Stanfield, Mike Epps, Shameik Moore, Tracy Morgan, Paula Patton and Kathryn Bigelow.
Jewerl Ross began her career in entry-level positions at ICM and Paradigm Talent Agency. Ross was an agent for three years at a boutique agency and later a manager for four years at a small management company. In 2006, Ross founded Silent R Management. Some of the company’s clients include Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins, Brad Buecker, Steven Piet, Patrick Wang, Matthew Aldrich, Jack Stanley, Our Lady J, Moises Zamora, Evan Endicott and Hannah Schneider. Ross is attached as an executive producer of Schneider’s next project, a television pilot entitled “Homecoming.”
Gil Robertson (Moderator) is the co-founder and president of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA). The association produces a year-round schedule of programs, including the AAFCA Awards. Robertson is a 20-year veteran entertainment journalist who’s byline has appeared in the LA Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, USA Today, Fortune, Ebony, Essence, and BET among other leading publications. He is also an accomplished author with 5 books to his credit, including his first Children’s book titled, “Book of Black Heroes: Political Leaders Past & Present,” released this summer through Just Us Books.